Core 2 Duo T9300 vs Pentium P6300

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core 2 Duo T9300 vs Pentium P6300 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 2 Duo T9300 vs Pentium P6300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 2 Duo T9300

2008

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 6W instead of 35W, a 29W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,670 vs 1,685).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.3 vs 21.1 PassMark/$ ($316 MSRP vs $80 MSRP).

Pentium P6300

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $236 less on MSRP ($80 MSRP vs $316 MSRP).
✅Delivers 298.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.1 vs 5.3 PassMark/$ ($80 MSRP vs $316 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌483.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium P6300 better than Core 2 Duo T9300?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo T9300 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium P6300 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core 2 Duo T9300 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium P6300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Pentium P6300 is the better buy right now. Pentium P6300 comes in $236 cheaper on MSRP at $80 MSRP versus $316 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo T9300 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 298.5% better value on MSRP (21.1 vs 5.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium P6300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Duo T9300 vs Pentium P6300 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 2 Duo T9300

The Core 2 Duo T9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,670 points. Launch price was $316.

Pentium P6300

The Pentium P6300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.27 GHz, with boost up to 0.27 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,685 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo T9300 and Pentium P6300 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9300 versus 0.27 GHz on the Pentium P6300 — a 161% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T9300 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.27 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T9300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium P6300 uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T9300 scores 1,670 against the Pentium P6300's 1,685 — a 0.9% lead for the Pentium P6300. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9300 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium P6300.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T9300	Pentium P6300
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+826%	0.27 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+10%	2.27 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+100%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB	256K (per core)+4167%
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,670	1,685
Geekbench 6 Multi	432	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T9300 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium P6300 uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T9300	Pentium P6300
Socket	PGA478	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T9300) / not specified (Pentium P6300). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T9300 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T9300 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T9300	Pentium P6300
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo T9300 was priced at $316, while the Pentium P6300 came in at $80. On launch pricing ($316 vs $80), Pentium P6300 was $236 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo T9300 delivers 5.3 pts/$ vs 21.1 pts/$ for the Pentium P6300 — making the Pentium P6300 the 119.8% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T9300	Pentium P6300
MSRP	$316	$80-75%
Performance per Dollar	5.3	21.1+298%
Release Date	2008	2011

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